West Sussex athletes battle against elements for top marks at Portsmouth

PUPILS had to battle against some of the worst conditions seen in the history of the West Sussex West track and field championships.

Competing at the Mountbatten Centre, they were keen to impress the selectors for the Sussex schools championships on June 16 and intent on gaining points for their schools in the team competition. All-round winners were Bishop Luffa although they were given a run for their money by Chichester High school and Seaford College in the boys’ events and Chichester Girls High and Lavant House in the girls.

Despite conditions, two records were set. Isobel Brown won the girls’ outstanding field event award with a 1.71m winning clearance in the senior girls’ high jump, which now gives her a clean sweep of junior, intermediate and senior records in this event.

And Jess Breach from Lavant House was equally as dominant in the junior girls’ sprints and gained the outstanding track award for her 100m record.

For the boys, Harry Leleu from Seaford College got the judges’ vote for his commanding double in the 1,500m and 3,000m, fighting off strong competition from Jamie Moore, Dan Eeles and Collins Alfred, who all achieved double track wins.